Young Thug’s ‘Lifestyle’ played in court as Atlanta rapper faces RICO charges

ATLANTA — The Atlanta trial of rapper Young Thug, accused of co-founding a violent criminal street gang and using his music to promote it, has resumed after being delayed in December.

The Atlanta-based artist, whose first name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is accused of, among other things, violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering and gang laws. He was indicted last year along with more than two dozen others, five of whom are scheduled to stand trial with him.

The trial of rapper YSL and five others, which began in November, resumed on January 2. The trial is currently in another week of recess and will resume on January 22.

Prosecutors are expected to make the controversial decision to use Young Thug’s rap lyrics as evidence against him. The rapper has pleaded not guilty.

Here are some things to know as the trial begins:

Young Thug’s “Lifestyle” plays in the courtroom

On January 11, the trial opened with the song “Lifestyle”, which the rapper performs in court.

Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, requested to release the song’s video in an effort to show that YSL’s clothing is typical of rappers and has no gang affiliation. Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville decided not to let the clip go at this time.

Viral courtroom moment: Lawyer Says Young Thug Means ‘Truly Humble Under God’ in Day 2 of RICO Trial

When does the Young Thug trial start?

Young Thug’s trial began on November 27 with opening statements from prosecutors and the rapper’s lawyers.

Jury selection began in January. At that time, 14 of the 28 people charged in the indictment were scheduled to be tried together. That number dropped to six after some defendants took plea deals or were separated to stand trial later. A jury of 12 people – nine women and three men – and six alternates was finally selected on November 1 after several delays.

Why was Young Thug’s trial delayed?

Shannon Stillwell, 31, was stabbed multiple times Dec. 9 during a fight with another man being held in the same part of the jail, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said. Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville sent jurors home the next morning, telling them one of the defendants had a “medical issue” but told them to come back the next morning.

On Dec. 12, he told them “the medical problem still exists” and told jurors they had to return to court Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. Glanville asked them not to read anything about the trial or speak to anyone about it in the meantime. .

How long will the trial last?

The trial is expected to last months and will likely include testimony from a number of high-profile figures in the music industry.

The Young Thug YSL affair explained

Young Thug faces racketeering, drug and firearms charges related to his alleged involvement in a criminal street gang.

A Fulton County grand jury indicted Young Thug in May 2022. A second indictment in August 2022 charges Young Thug and 27 others with conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. The indictments contain 65 counts, six of which apply to Young Thug.

Prosecutors say Young Thug and two others co-founded a violent criminal street gang in 2012 called Young Slime Life, or YSL, which they say is associated with the national Bloods gang. The indictment says Young Thug “made YSL a household name by referencing it in his songs and on social media.”

In addition to specific charges, the August indictment includes a lengthy list of 191 acts that prosecutors say were committed between 2013 and 2022 as part of the alleged conspiracy to advance the gang’s interests.

That list includes an allegation that Young Thug threatened in July 2015 to shoot a security guard who was trying to get him to leave an Atlanta-area mall. The indictment also says Young Thug rented a silver Infiniti sedan that was used to kill a rival gang member. And on numerous occasions, he and others allegedly possessed various illegal drugs that they intended to distribute.

How much prison time does Young Thug face?

Young Thug’s racketeering conspiracy charge and two gang charges each carry a sentence of five to 20 years in prison. The other five counts also carry a possible prison sentence.

Young Thug’s lawyers deny YSL is a gang

Young Thug’s lawyers have said in several court filings that he is innocent of all crimes charged in the indictment. They argue that YSL is simply a record label.

Several defense attorneys in the case said prosecutors were overzealous in their use of the RICO statute and the anti-gang statute, both of which carry heavy penalties.

Rapper Gunna had already been charged alongside Young Thug

Rapper Gunna, whose first name is Sergio Kitchens, has been charged with a single count of racketeering conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in Alford in December, meaning he maintains his innocence but acknowledges it is in his best interest to plead guilty.

During Gunna’s plea hearing, the rapper responded “Yes, ma’am” when a prosecutor said “YSL is a music label and a gang” and that he knew its members or associates had committed crimes. gang crimes.

The other two people accused of co-founding the YSL gang – Walter Murphy and Trontavious Stephens – were also charged. They each pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to violate anti-racketeering law.

Who is Young Thug?

Young Thug’s eccentric style and mumbled rap – along with hits such as “Stoner” and “Best Friend” – made him popular.

His squeaky, high-pitched voice can be heard in the background of Childish Gambino’s “This is America,” a socio-political hit that became the first hip-hop track to win the Grammy Award for Song of the Year . Young Thug won a Grammy in 2019 for his co-writing efforts on the track, which included 21 Savage, Quavo and more.

He has released several mixtapes and three studio albums, including his recent musical project “Business is Business”, released in June.

Lyrics can be used as evidence during Young Thug’s trial for gang and racketeering

Young Thug has collaborated with some of music’s best, including Drake, Chris Brown, TI and Travis Scott. Elton John called it an “amazing moment” to work with Young Thug after recording the song “Always Love You” with Nicki Minaj and Gunna.

Young Thug has three chart-topping songs, including “Havana” featuring Camila Cabello, “Way 2 Sexy” featuring Drake and Future, and “Franchise” featuring Travis Scott and MIA.

Prosecutors described Young Thug as a gang leader known as King Slime, someone who takes the lead and orders others to engage in criminal activity.

Contributors: Kate Brumback, Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Lifestyle’ Lyrics Played in Court in RICO Case